A/N: Hello, this is my first ever fanfic and i'm excited to see what you all think. Before you start, I would just want you to know this is not a story where Draco and the OC fall in love within the first chapter. It's going to develop at a slow pace. :)

I hope you enjoy my lovelys. Reviews are very much appreciated. xx

A girl sat in an isolated compartment. The sleeve of her left arm was rolled up; her finger was tracing imaginary patterns on the skin of her inner arm. The flesh was soon to be tainted with a mark that would tell the world who she was, the mark that was the symbol of evil.

Usually she would be happy on the journey to her school; she was able to get away from her criticising parents at least until Christmas. But the news she was told several days before she left devastated her. She felt a tap on her arm. Snapped out of her trance, she looked up to meet the hazel eyes of her friend, Grace.

"Zara, what's wrong with you? You seem so…out of it today. Is everything okay?"She looked around at her other friends in the carriage, their faces all plastered with the same look of worry.

She couldn't tell them the truth. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just, tired is all." She looked down at her hands, not wanting her friends to see right through her obvious lie.

"Hmm." Grace replied, clearly unconvinced.

Grace was one of Zara's longest, closest friends and was the epitome of beauty. She was of a Iranian and Italian heritage. Her tresses fell perfectly straight, and there was not a stray hair in sight. It was rich chestnut colour that complimented her hazel almond shaped eyes. Her skin was light but there was a brown sun kissed tint. Grace lent towards her ear and whispered "If you need anyone to talk to. I'm always here." She retreated smiling and carried on conversing with her peers.

Zara smiled to herself. "I know." She muttered. However, if Grace had known the true reason for her dark mood, Grace would turn her back on her in a second. She wouldn't be able to accept her.

The loud buzzing of laughing and voices was irritating Zara. She feared that any moment she would break down, she had to keep herself composed.

Zara got up; shaking her arm so the sleeve of her robe fell back into place. "I'm going to the loo." She announced, quickly leaving the apartment to find a much quieter atmosphere.

She stepped out of the compartment she was in, and walked along the corridor of the carriage, whilst looking down she was fiddling with her sleeve. While she mindlessly walked she felt her body thump into another.

"Sorry!" she flustered, still not looking up.

She heard an exasperated sigh."Watch where you're going next time, Milani." A voice spat back at her.

Upon recognising the slick voice, instantly she had regretted apologising. Clenching her fists she glanced to face him. There he was, "The prince of Slytherin" Draco Malfoy, his cold grey eyes shooting daggers at her.

"Shut up Malfoy." She was not in the mood.

Then there appeared that infamous smirk. "That all you got muggle lover? Pretty pathetic come-back I say." Draco knew by the twisted expression on her face, that he was getting right under her skin. This made his grin grow wider. "You know, I always did wonder how you actually got sorted into Slytherin. You don't seem to tick any of the boxes, well apart from the fact that you're a pureblood. Even then you're still an embarrassment to our house, and I've heard to your family too."

If his mouth could stretch anymore it would of as he watched her cheeks turn a faded red and her eyebrows furrowed. He could see her breathes become quicker and sharper. Just one more twist.

"Oh and I thought Slytherin girls are usually good looking…"

He let go of the key on his little wind up toy.

That last one felt like a kick to the stomach. A mixture emotions spread through her body. She had no comeback.

"Just fucking leave me alone Malfoy." Her hand swiped at him as if he was a pestering fly.

The red faced girl pushed pass the boy as he sniggered to himself. Draco loved winding her up, or anyone for that matter. He knew how to get under anybodies skin, and when he did so it gave him a feeling of pleasure.

He carried on watching the girls figure moving further away from him. He meant everything he said to her, well; minus the fact he was implying she wasn't attractive. She was a good looking girl, he'd seen better, but she was descent .If it wasn't for the fact she, out of choice, associated herself with mudbloods overpowered her looks, he would defiantly be all over her. He shook his head with a smirk still plastered on his face, mentally patting himself on the back as he walked back to his compartment.

The sorting ceremony was almost over. Zara sat at the Slytherin table resting her face in one of her hands. She just wanted to eat and sleep. She could feel here irises twitching around as if she was asleep with her eyes open.

It was apparent to Zara that she was different to the other Slytherins and it was also obvious to them. Zara had different views to the majority of the people sat at her table, she had tried to keep her opinions to herself but Draco's big mouth had made sure everyone knew she wasn't the same. Zara wasn't too outspoken, and really couldn't defend herself against a mob of Slytherins attacking her with spiteful words. However, over the years the Slytherin students begun to just leave Zara alone, rather than insulting her, the avoided her. Apart from Draco and his pack. Zara was just as confused as her peers as to why the hat decided she was to be put in the house which she least fit into.

Finally, she was snapped out of her daze when she heard the sound of cutlery and the buzz of hundreds of voices surround the hall. She giggled to herself when she saw the awe on the new first years and the feast appeared before them. Zara herself was in the fifth year. She piled food on her plate and begun to eat.

The high pitched voice of Pansy Parkinson who was only sitting a couple of seats away opposite her rung in her ears.

"Woah, Milani. Might want to watch what you're eating, you're not far off from being the size of a pig."

She was surrounded by the sound of snickering from the other Slytherins nearby.

"Well, at least I don't actually look like one Pansy. I can lose weight, but you'll always look like a beast." She blurted out.

Pansy's jaw hung open, as the Slytherins surrounding her all burst out in laughter. Even Draco who was sitting besides Pansy couldn't help sniggering.

"Draco! Are you just going to let her talk to me like that?" Pansy hollered.

Draco, still laughing, merely shrugged.

Pansy spun her head round to face Zara.

"You'll get what's coming to you soon you dirty muggle lover. No one speaks to me like that."

For the rest of the feast Zara had to try and ignore the glares Pansy would shoot at her from time to time.

Zara felt good about herself for once, she never was one to stick up for herself. She would usually ignore the snide comments that were struck at her. But it felt good to retaliate. That's when she promised herself that this year she would not be taking any shit from anyone. Especially Draco Malfoy.